Implementation of transvaginal ultrasound in an emergency department residency program: an analysis of resident interpretation.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2012
Institution/Department
Emergency Medicine
Journal Title
The Journal of emergency medicine
MeSH Headings
Clinical Competence, Diagnosis, Differential, Emergency Medicine, Endosonography, Female, Humans, Internship and Residency, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Ectopic, Prospective Studies, Uterine Hemorrhage, Vagina
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emergency physicians are increasingly performing transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) to rule out ectopic pregnancy. However, little is known about appropriate educational pathways to train emergency medicine residents in TVUS.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents who underwent a training program in TVUS to detect the presence or absence of an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) in patients of < 13 weeks gestation with vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, as compared to the final interpretation of each study as determined by the Emergency Department (ED) Director of Ultrasound.
METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study in a single residency program. Training included a lecture, competency examination, and 10 supervised TVUSs. The EM residents then performed TVUSs with the goal of determining the presence or absence of an IUP without input from an attending physician. Correlation with the ED Director of Ultrasound was assessed for the cohort, and stratified by year of training.
RESULTS: There were 22 residents who performed 75 TVUSs over 17 months. Correlation with the ED Director of Ultrasound was 93.3%. Differences in correlation with the ED Director of Ultrasound were noted when compared by year of training: post-graduate year (PGY)-3 (93.3%), PGY-2 (92.1%), and PGY-1 (100%); p < 0.001.
CONCLUSION: Residents were able to perform TVUSs to determine the presence or absence of an IUP in patients in whom the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was being considered with a high degree of correlation with the ED Director of Ultrasound after a brief training program. Correlation with the ED director of ultrasound was influenced by year of training.
ISSN
0736-4679
First Page
124
Last Page
128
Recommended Citation
MacVane, Casey Z; Irish, Christine B; Strout, Tania D; and Owens, William B, "Implementation of transvaginal ultrasound in an emergency department residency program: an analysis of resident interpretation." (2012). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 2126.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/2126